Concentrating table



Apil 7, 931- M. J. LIDE 1,799,694

CONCENTRATING TABLE Filed May l2, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l uurvunn PY 7, 19'1- M. J. LIDE CONCENTRATING TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12, 1924 Chrom.,

April 7, w31. M. J. LiDE CONCENTRATING TABLE Filed May l2, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 mrt.

MAR-TIN d'. LIDE, OF BRMIENGHAM, ALABAMA CONCENTBTIITG TABLE Application ied May 12, 19.24. Serial No. 712,589.

My invention relates to a concentrating table of the type whereon the material to be treated is delivered to a tilted table provided with longitudinal riflles and which is independently reciprocated and vibrated in order to effect both movement and stratification of the material on the table.

More particularly my invention contemplates the provision of novel, simple and very effective means for imparting uniformly to the whole table high frequency short stroke vertical vibrations to strati-ty the material, and both transverse and longitudinal low frequency long stroke reciprocations for imparting movement to the material over the table. The longitudinal riilles on the table 'act to retard the transverse movement of the particles of greatest specific gravity more than that of less dense materials, and thereby a separation of materials according to density is effected.

My invention contemplates the utilization of independent drives for the highV and low frequency motions of the table and contemplates Athat the high frequency motion shall be imparted by a common mechanical drive or by a synchronous and concurrent magnetic drive and that the low frequency drive shall derive all motion from a common source of power.

My invention also contemplates the provision of a supporting structure from which the table is suspended by swinging connectors which are long enough to effect nomaterial vertical movement of the table due to its lateral or longitudinal reciprocations.

My invention further contemplates the imparting of the high'frequency short stroke vertical vibrations of the table through the instrumentality of cranks or eccentrics acting on the suspension rods for the table, or through the use of A. C. electromagnets with their movable cores or armatures connected to the table suspension rods.

My invention also contemplates the provision of cam actuated rocker arms having.

adjustable connections to the table and working against springs to impart the low frequency transverse and longitudinal reciprocations, and itis a special feature of my invention that the connection from each spring and rocker arm shall be carried to a relatively remote opposite part of the table so as to elongate these connections to sufiiciently reduce the relative angularity of the connections and the interference of one on the other of the two low frequency drives which act at right angles to each other.

My invention also contemplates the provision of simple and effective common means to vary the tilting adjustment of the table in one direction without otherwise interfering with its setting.

My invention also contemplates the provision of convenient and elective means for varying the length of the oscillatory movements of the table both transversely and longitudinally.

My invention also contemplates the novel details of construction and arrangement of parts, which in their preferred embodiment only are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which 'F ig. 1 is a plan view showing the table brolren away on each side of its supporting structure and operating mechanism.

2 is an end view; and Fig. 3 elevation of the table.

Fig. 4' is'an enlarged detail view of the common drive for the tilting adjustment of the'table.

5 is a detail view of the adjustable cam and rocker arm drive for effecting the lateral and longitudinal movements of the table.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the cranl drive for the suspension hanger rods, the bearing being showi in cross section.

Fig. 'Z is an end view of the crank shaft.

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the table as made up of wood.

Fig. 9 is a similar view of the table made up of metal; and

Fig. 10 is a typical view of a magnet adapted to replace the crank shown in Fig. 6.

ASimilar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

According to the embodiment of my invention illustrated l show a frame-work comprising upright columns or posts 1 supporta side csi ing a superstructure generally designated by the mimeral 2 upon which is mounted, preferably centrally of the frame-work, an elec'- tric motor 8. rIhis motor through shafts 4 and 5, which extend in opposite directions therefrom, serve to drive parallel end shafts 6 and 7, suitable bevelled gearing 8 being provided for driving from the shaft 5 to i" and from shaft 4 to (l. rlie shafts (l and 'i' at their ends are mounted in bearings beyond which they overhang and the overhung end of each is provided with a collar l0 and a crank ll, see Fig. (i. A crank pin bearing l2 is provided for each crank, and undern hung therefrom is a hook i3 from which a suspension or hanger rod or suitable connector 14 is hung. Suitable lubricating means in the form of grease cup l5 is connected to each crank Y in bearing lf2. Thus are four hanger rods 14 provided and from the lower end of each of the two rods on the higher side of the table I suspend an elongated and threaded hook bolt 1G having a longitudinal key way l? cut along its threaded portion (see Fig. 4) and this bolt passes through and is keyed Ato a trunnion 1S which rocks in bearings 19- on the frame 2O of the table. A nut 2l is screwed on each eye bolt below the trunnion 18 and is operated by a sprocketl 22. These sprockets in turn are driven by sprocket chains 23 from sprockets E24 and 25 by a hand wheel 26 which is journaled in a trunnion 27 mounted to rock in bearing brackets 2S fast on the frame Q0 on the table. Preferably.y the trunnion 27 is mounted midway between the trunnions 18 and with its anis in alignment with their axes. The other two hanger arms 14 are suitably connected to the other or lower side of the table as by hooks 29. By the mechanism described the motor is adapted to impart high frequency short stroke vibrations through the hanger rods 'i4 and their respective connections to the table frame 20, the arms being so connected about the table as to properly support it and to inr-I part to it a vibration adapted most effectively to stratify the mate-rial on the table.

In order to obtain the maximum efliciency from the working surface of the table the latis given the shape of a parallelograni with the feed 3() at the corner of its upper side having the acute angle. rIhe stratification which will take place on the table will have a line of demarkation approximately following` a diagonal through the acute angles of the parallelogram, and as a result, if the table were r ctangular in shape, it would have much idle surface along its ends. The table surface may be made up of tongue and groove flooring 3l with wooden riflles 32 superimposed upon a smooth water-proof covering 38 for the table, or the table may be of metal sheet 84 having the riles formed by angles rIhre riflles extend longitudinally of the table. It is my purpose to impart to the table, which is suspended as described, reciprocating motion in two directions at right angles to each other which are of low frequency and of long stroke as compared with the ver tical vibrations imparted to the table. For imparting such motions to the able employ the mechanism which will now be described as that best suited for my purposes.

I provide a shaft 36 journaled in bearings 3? on the uprights of the frame and on one end of this shaft I mount a sprocket- 38, as typical of any suitable power drive for the shaft, and at its other end I mount a bevelled gear 39 which meshes a similar gear 40 on a shaft 41 extending at right angles along one end of the frame and also mounted in bearings 42 on the uprights. These two shafts ach carry either one or more cams 43 (see g. I show two cams on each shaft and l mount on the bearing for the shaft adjacent to each cam a rocker arm 44 carrying a roller at its lower end in engagement with the cani and at its upper end the arm has a series of holes 4G in any desired one of which is mounted a double clevis or yoke 47 for adjustably connecting a rod or other suitable connector to each rocker arm. This rod 4S has a remote connection to the frame opposite its rocker arm, each being preferably connected to its respective bracket 49 dependent from the table frame and disposed approximately midway between opposite hang er rods 14. The cams 43 on the side and end of the frame are mounted fast on shafts 3G journaled in the same bearing brackets as the shafts 36 and parallel therewith. I mount on the uprights l suitable brackets 50 and through each bracket 50 I pass a spring tension rod or suitable connector 5l having thereon an adjusting nut 52. Each tension rod is connected to its respective spring 53 and the spring in turn is connected by a tension rod or other connector to a part of the table remote and opposite to its respective bracket 50, preferably to the opposite bracket 49. fis shown more clearly in Fig. l, I provide a spring under tension working in opposition to and in line with each of the rods 4S so that each of the cam actuated rods has opposed to its driving motion one of the springs 53, and it will be noted that the length of the spring tension connections is substantially equal to the length of the actuating rods 48 and that beth are made relatively long to the end that the relative angularity in the connections of each pair of springs and rocker arms to the table may be more nearly equalized, and that the reciprocation of the table in one direction will exert less interference with the reeiprocation in the opposite direction, it is obvious that the longer the connect-ion between the table and the cam or spring` the lesser the radial or angular movement of the rods and the less the interference -i pmi of one movement on the other. The spring and cam connectors 54 and 48 are connected by double clevis yokes similar to 47 (see Fig. 5) to the desired hole of two series of vertical holes provided in each bracket 4Q. This permits adjustment of the connections between the cam actuators and springs to the table to keep them approximately horizontal notwithstanding" adjustment on the inclination of the table and of the point of connection of the actuators 48 to the rocker arms 44.

Instead of the crank motion described for imparting vertical oscillations to the table I may employ low frequency A. C. electro-magnets energized from a common source of power, such as are illustrated in Fig. 10, in which 55 represents the supporting structure of the magnet which carries on its upper portion a winding 56 for the stationary core 56a of the magnet and is provided with an intermediate guide 57 through which `guide rods 58 pass and connect overhead to the movable core 9 of the magnet and connect below to the yoke G0 from which is suspended a hook 61 equivalent to hook 13 and adapted to receive the hanger rods. or connectors 14. A stop screw 62 is employed to adjust the stroke of the magnet and springs 63 and 64 may be provided between the guide 57 and the ends of the movable frame for Vthe purpose of cushioning the action of the magnet and that of gravity. The top. portion of the magnet frame carries a pair of removable bumpers or pads 65 and the frame 66, on` which the movable core of the magnet is mounted, also carries corresponding bumpers or pads67, these pads being adapted tostrike as the magnet circuit is closed soas to impartsuch a succession of shocks through the suspension means to the table as is desirable for the proper stratification of the material thereon. Springs 68 may be attached to the brackets 49 and adjustably connected by regulating screws 69 to the bottom chord70 of the sup porting structure. These serve to hold the table against its vibrations so that a higher frequency is attainable than when gravity alone is relied on.` v

In the operation of my invention, having assembled it in the manner described, the material to be treated Vis fed in any suitable manner to the feed boX 3() and the two drives are started.Y The overhead driveA ,acting through the mechanical or electrical agencies described imparts the high frequency short stroke oscillations through the hangers to the table for the purpose of effecting the desired stratification of the material on` the table. The low drive acting longitudinally and transversely of the table imparts relatively lower frequency long stroke reciprocations to the table to eifect the desired movement of the material co-incident with its stratification and there results a clear diagonal line of demarkation separating the denser matter moving `parallel to the riles over the far end of the table vand the less dense matter moving transversely across the rilfles and over the low side of thetable It is to be understood that the R. P. M. of

the cam shaft and the-length of stroke imparted Yby the cams to the table will be such as to enable the table to effect approximately the desired separation while giving the required capacity. To adjust the action of the e can be changed'from time to time as a'partv of the adjustment or control dur-ing the operation of the table. The length of stroke of the reciprocation can be very easily and conveniently adjusted by changing the connection of the clevises 47 to the desired hole 46 in the rockers and the tension of the opposing springs can be readily adjusted by manip- `ulating their screw adjusters 52. The high frequency vibrations imparted to the table through the hangers effect constantly `and uniformly a stratification of the material during the movement thereof as a result of the reciprocations of the table, and the stratification and movement of the material occurring concurrently an effective separation 'and "a large output of separated material vis obtained, the increased capacity being principally due to the long stroke and quick return movement'imparted transversely to the table, and the "effectiveness of the separation being principally due to the powerful short stroke high frequency vibration imparted through the simple agencies described to the table. Obviously this vibration is obtainable either mechanically or through the electromagnets described, and when produced mechanically any positive drive short stroke drive may be employed.

Having thus described myv invention, what I claim as new and desire-to secure by Letters Patent, is y 1. A separator comprising an inclined separating table, a high frequency short stroke drivefor imparting vibrations substantially vertically and uniformly tothe whole table, and a relatively low frequency long stroke drive for imparting reciprocations substantially horizontally to said table, means to feedmaterial uniformly to a lhigh point of the table, and means to regulate the flow of material over the table.

'2. A separator according to claim 1, in whichA the low" frequency drive comprises means to impart both longitudinal and transverse -reciprocations to the table.

3. A separator according to claim 1, in which the low frequency drive comprises actuators havi-ng a common mechanical drive, and means operated by said actuators for imparting longitudinal and transverse reciprocations to the table.

4. A separator according to claim 1, in which the low frequency drive comprises actuators having a common mechanical drive, means operated by said actuators for imparting longitudinal and transverse reciprocations to the table, and spring means to oppose said reciprocations.

5. A separator according to claim l, in which the one drive is disposed above and the other below the table.

6. A separator according to claim 1, in which the table is supported from above and has its high frequency drive above and its low frequency drive below the table.

7. A separator comprising an inclined separating table, an overhead support for the table, hangers connected to the table, vert-ically acting vibrators from which said hangers are suspended, a synchronous concurrent drive for said vibrators, and means to effect a feed of material over the table by imparting substantially horizontal and transverse reciprocations thereto.

8. A separator comprising an inclined rifiied table having the shape of a non-rectangular parallelogram with its feed box at its upper acute .angle corner, and agencies to impart vertical vibrations and both longitudinal and transverse reciprocations to said table.

9. A concentrating table comprising, in combination, an inclined separating table having suitable supports, means for imparting relatively high frequency short stroke vibrations to the table through the supports, means for con-comitantly imparting both transverse and longitudinal, and substantially horizontal, relatively low frequency long stroke reciprocating movement to said table, suitable means for feeding the unconcentrated material into a suitable feed box located in or near an upper corner of the inclined table, adjusting means for regulating the .iiow of the less dense material transversely across the table to the lower longitudinal edge of the table and con-comitantly of the denser material longitudinally along the table to the transverse edge of the table remote from the feed box.

10. A concentrating table according to claim 9, in which the means for reciprocating the table comprise cams and opposing springs, the cams being designed to permit aI quick return movement of the table responsive to the springs.

11. A concentrating table according to cla-iin 9, in which the means for reciprocating the table comprise cams, oscillating rocker arms having rollers adapted to engage the cams, the cams being adapted to permit a quick return of the table, and spring means to cause said return movement of the table.

12. A concentrating table according to claim 9, in which the means for reciprocating the table comprise cams, and rockers co-acting with the cams, parallel shafts on which said cams and rockers are mounted, suitable sup ports for said shafts, a connection from each rocker arm to a remote part of the table, and spring means to oppose the cam actuated movements of the table.

13. A concentrating table according to claim 9, in which the means for reciprocat ing the table comprise cam shafts extending along one side and one end of the table and connected at right angles through a bevelled gear drive, cams on said shafts, and actuating connections from the cams to the table with springs te oppose the cam actuated movements of the table.

14. In a concentrating table, a table having substantially longitudinal riilles, means to support said table, and means to impart vertical vibrations and horizontal reciprocations to the table, the means reciprocating the table comprising mechanical actuators disposed to operate transversely and longitudinally of the table, brackets underhung from the table to which each actuator is connected, and a spring opposing the action of each actuator and connected to its respective bracket, substantially as described.

15. A concentrating table in accordance with claim 14, in which the bracket is provided with a plurality of holes for the independent adjustment of the connection of the spring and actuator thereto.

16. In a concentrating mechanism, a frame-work comprising upright posts, an inclined separating table, means to support the table from said posts, means to impart vcrtical vibrations to the table, and means to impart longitudinal and transverse reciprocations to the table, said latter means coniprising mechanical actuators disposed below the table, spring elements opposing the actuators and each disposed opposite an actuator, and a bracket dependent from the table to which an opposing actuator and spring are connected, said bracket being disposed substantially midway between the table supports.

17. A separator comprising an inclined separating table, vertically disposed supports for said table, a common means adapted to adjust vertically, equally and cotemporaneously the supports for a longitudinal side of the table, means to vertically vibrate the table, comprising positive actuators working in one direction, springs working in opposition to said actuators, and means to laterally oscillate the table.

18. In a separator, .an inclined concentrating table, vertical supports for the table, means to alter the inclination of the table, and synchronously driven electro-magnetic means incorporated in the Supports for imparting relatively high frequency Vertical Vibrations to the table.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MARTIN J. LIDE. 

